The Leaves Have Fallen

Spring time may not seem the appropriate season to think of falling leaves. But the thought goes beyond the seasonal cycle to that of life and death. In the spring of the year all of nature invites us to enjoy the rebirth of the seeming deadness of winter. Trees leaf out in varying shades of green. Azaleas bloom in radiant splendor. Dogwoods are adorned in white-like bridal dresses. The impatiens are asking the pansies to step aside. The fescue and centipede grasses are preparing for their summer cuttings. The breezes are softer. The daylight is longer. However, all this will fade into the lengthening shadows of fall. God said it would be this way, “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.” These words to Noah define nature’s boundaries. But attached to this “life and death” cycle is the story of the fall of man. All of nature is in death’s grip. All of God’s creatures die. The perpetual perfect environment of the Garden of Eden gave way to sin’s curse upon creation.

It doesn’t take the falling leaves of summer’s death to open our hearts to winter’s grief. We have to bid farewell to loved ones and friends, never to see them again in this life. In recent months a daughter has been left with only the memories of her father. A son will no longer talk with his father. A brother read Psalm 23, prayed, and told his brother good-bye. Death leaves grief in its wake. The grief of winter sets in when our fathers and brothers leave us to finish our course in this life without them. Pam Newton, Ed Sherwood, and Bill Thorn know about those cold winds that blow over the hills and valleys of our memories.

Grief is an internal pain almost indescribable. A sea of thoughts and emotions inundate one’s life. It is a jolt, disorientation, confusion, disbelief, helplessness, depression, sadness, love, guilt, loneliness, unpredictable tears, weariness, and shock. Grief ravages us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You can know it is coming, but you can’t prevent it. Nor should you try to prevent it. Grief, a grace from God, is a response to any kind of loss (a broken relationship, loss of a job, a move, etc.). But death can be especially cruel. Mary and Martha were beside themselves with misery over the loss of their brother Lazarus. They believed the resurrection would ultimately remedy their grief, but this truth did not keep them from weeping. Christians grieve. God has appointed grief as a natural and beneficial consequence of man’s fallen condition. God Himself grieves. He grieves over the sins of lost humanity and those of His children (Gen. 6:6; Psa. 78:40; Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30). Christians don’t grieve in the same manner as non-Christians do. The difference is hope. The apostle Paul comforted the believers in the Thessalonian church with the assurance that there is hope in Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Yes, the believer will grieve, but not as the unbeliever who has no hope. Grief is immersed in a sea of hopelessness for non-Christians because of the absence of Jesus Christ in their lives. In Christ there is the forgiveness of sin, eternal life and joy. Death is not loss but gain for those who belong to Christ (Phil. 1:21). The cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ have cut the roots of grief because He became a man of sorrows, and became acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). His entire life was filled with pain and suffering. He even grieved over the grief-stricken (Jn. 11:35).

Where is the hope that banishes despairing grief? When Jesus came to Lazarus’ funeral, He found a sobbing and grief-stricken family. He was grieved and angered by what He encountered. Death, the enemy, the child of sin, had done its vile work. A brother had been ripped from joyful family gatherings. So what did the Son of Man do? He stepped toward the tomb of Lazarus as the “champion who prepares for conflict.” He cried aloud for all to hear, “Lazarus, come forth.” Tear-stained faces gave way to joy-filled amazement as a four-day-dead Lazarus emerged from his tomb. A word from Christ had brought instant life. The violent tyranny of death had been overcome. This was a sign of things to come. The leaf of life that had fallen to the ground had been restored to the splendor of a hope-filled spring. Death is no match for the Lord Jesus Christ. In His own death, death was defeated. The empty tomb of Jesus guarantees the Christian’s participation in the resurrection of life. It makes possible a life of abiding hope.

To my friends, Pam, Ed, and Bill, who grieve in this season when all nature sings the song of spring, find your comfort in our Champion, the Savior. All who die with a faith fixed upon Christ and the precious gift of eternal life in Him are but leaves that have fallen momentarily. Those who die in Christ go to be with Him to wait for that great resurrection morning. For us who remain to finish out our earthly purpose God gives the grace to transform death’s loss to eternal gain. We who grieve must remember that all genuine comfort comes from the God of all comfort (Lam. 2:32-33). Grief is a favorable time to draw near to God, to talk to God, to learn from God. It is the opportunity for Christ to be exalted. It is a time to bear our souls before God and delight in His mercy and be consoled.

Thank you to one of our own for the following hope-drenched words you have written in the early morning of your grief.

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church

Thoughts at Sunrise

A cold chill blows across the hill
Light’s first glimmer in the eastern sky.
The earth stirs from its slumbering still.
Dark’s hold loosed, morning draws nigh.

A young boy’s hand upon a plow
Dreaming of life beyond the farm.
Leaving home he fulfilled his vow
With great hopes and high aims armed.

Too soon his time has gone
His race run, his course done.
He gave us a lasting offer
Family, friends, and helping others.

Late in life to the Lord he drew
Not seeking honor or his due.
The richest blessing he received –
God’s forgiveness on him bestowed.

Mountain shapes now with shining crowns,
Trees and fields come full in view
The warming light on golden ground,
The promise of life renewed.

Flowers cover that special place,
Their beauty tells of future grace.
An earth-worn temple just laid to rest
Will rise in glory at the Lord’s return.

Ed Sherwood